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Frederick Chopins

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10 views2 pages

Frederick Chopins

Research

Uploaded by

rouyang0422
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Frédérick Chopins

Background
Chopins composed his first piece at the age of seven. He received proper piano lessons, and was educated in
Warsaw Conservatory. His earlier works were influenced by Polish folk music, and the Polish independence
struggles influenced his composition and style later on. Chopins moved from Poland to Paris in 1831, in
Paris, he got to know other composers (such as Liszt and Berlioz, etc.), which influenced his composition
and ideas. Chopins primarily wrote pieces for piano soloists, though he also have other works. His music re-
flects strong emotions, such as deep feelings of longing and nostalgia. Frederick Chopins died on October
17, 1849.

Influences
Frederick Chopins was most remembered of his innovative piano techniques and emotional expression
through music. He used a lot of piano techniques, such as pedalling, change of dynamics, and other. He was
also one of the firsts to focus on emotional expression, effecting later romantic composers. Chopins also
masters shorter music forms, such as nocturnes, études.

Notable works
Here are some examples of Chopins’s notable works:
• Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2
• Étude in E Major, Op. 10, No. 3 (“Tristesse”)
• Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23
• https://youtu.be/2q0lVTwJbqs
• Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 35: third movement, the "Funeral March.”
• https://youtu.be/hZY5DBmgC_A

Instrumentation
Chopins’s main focus was the piano. He was often regarded as one of the greatest composers for this instru-
ment. Chopins also composed music for other instruments, though they are limited. Such as Piano Trio in G
Minor, Op. 8, and Sonata for Cello and Piano in G Minor, Op. 65.

Genre
Chopins has composed in numerous styles. These include but does not limit to nocturnes, etudes, ballades,
scherzos, preludes, waltzes, sonatas, mazurkas (inspired by polish folk dance), and polonaises (they are
grand and heroic, celebrates polish culture).

Here are some examples of Chopins’s works with links to listen to:
• Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23
• https://youtu.be/2q0lVTwJbqs
• Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 35: third movement, the "Funeral March.”
• https://youtu.be/hZY5DBmgC_A
• Mazurka in B-flat Major, Op. 7, No. 1
• https://youtu.be/b1YFubxfXb0
• Polonaise in A-flat Major, Op. 53
• https://youtu.be/p_iI1J0bALE
• Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2
• https://youtu.be/p29JUpsOSTE
• Étude in C Major, Op. 10, No. 1
• https://youtu.be/9E82wwNc7r8
• Prelude in C Major, Op. 28, No. 1
• https://youtu.be/2DDUCCxsSQI

Analysis - Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2


This piece is composed in ternary (ABA) structure. It is a typical structure used to compose noc-
turnes, with a lyrical A section, a contrasting B section, and than returning to section A.

The main melody is very fluid and the notes flow from one to another. There are often use of orna-
ments (grace notes, trills, etc.) to provide assistance to the piece’s expressiveness, emphasising the
Romantic style. The use of rubato allows the performer to have the freedom to shape the melody us-
ing expressive timing.

The left hand of the piano plays a broken chord for accompaniment. This provides harmonic support
to the melody line on the right hand. The accompaniment includes arpeggiated chords and octaves.

This piece uses various dynamics in order to build up the atmosphere of the piece. Piano and mezzo
piano are vastly used to create a soft and intimate atmosphere. Crescendo and and decrescendo are
used to help transition between different emotions and sections of the music. Section B of the piece
has stronger and more bold emotions that stand out more to the audience than section A. This is cre-
ated by the contrast between dynamics between the two sections.

The key of this piece changes from one to another throughout the piece. This creates tension and in-
terest, driving the audience in. This change in key to create tension can be seen in section B.

The overall emotion expressed by this piece is mostly longing and nostalgia. Though section A is
more calm, feeling like resolution, section B is more turbulent.

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